Bauman holding its 21st Annual Big Charity Raffle
FREMONT - Thanks to the generosity of Buck Baumann, dozens of local charities have received donations that have helped them help the community for more than two decades. In April, the company kicked off the 21st Annual Baumann Auto Group Big Charity Raffle, which features a grand prize of a new car. To date, the charity raffle has raised $1,183,997.
Nineteen local charities will receive donations through this year’s raffle. Each of the charities sells $5 raffle tickets and keeps 100% of the proceeds from every ticket they sell. The more tickets each charity sells, the more money they earn.
“Our eight dealerships sell tickets, too. Whatever we sell, we split equally among the 19 organizations,” said Heather More, Baumann Auto Group's marketing coordinator.
This year’s charities are Liberty Center in Fremont; Ruth Ann’s House in Port Clinton; Parker’s Purpose in Fremont; Genoa Area Food Bank; The Arc of Ottawa County; Oak House in Port Clinton; Joyful Connections in Oak Harbor; Village House in Fremont; Engaging Opportunities in Elmore; Sandusky County Cancer Care Fund; First Step of Seneca, Sandusky, Wyandot & Wood Counties; NAMI of Seneca, Sandusky & Wyandot Counties; Easter Seals of Northern Ohio; CASA of Sandusky, Seneca & Wyandot Counties; Riders Unlimited in Oak Harbor; SCAT of Tiffin; Back to the Wild in Castalia; F.A.C.T. of Seneca County, and Oregon Senior Center.
Charities work hard to raise money through raffle ticket sales
The recipients work hard to raise money for their cause through the raffle.
“The Liberty Center is one of the biggest. Last year, they raised $11,000,” More said.
Liberty Center Executive Director Margaret Weisz said the charity raffle directly impacts the center’s ability to help homeless families in Fremont.
“The raffle is very important to us. The funds we receive from the raffle make a big difference. They help us to serve more families and help them get back on their feet,” Weisz said. “We just want to say thank you to Buck Baumann and Baumann Auto Group. They don’t have to do this, but they do it every year. They are just good people over there.”
Bauman has a waiting list of charities wanting to join the raffle
The charity raffle is so successful that there is a waiting list of organizations hoping to join.
“We choose charities that are in our area. Many of them rely on volunteers,” More said. “Basically, these people are really selfless people.”
Tickets can be purchased from any of the 19 charities or at any of the eight Baumann dealerships. A first draw of 50 potential winners will take place on Nov. 4, and those ticket holders will be invited to the final draw event on Nov. 11 at Baumann Ford in Genoa.
The winner will have the choice of a new Ford Escape, Chevrolet Trailblazer or Jeep Compass with an MSRP up to $27,000 or a cash option of $20,000.
“We pay for the car, and someone will win a new car. They pay for the taxes only,” More said.
Bauman Auto Group aims to raise $70,000 for charities in 2023
The Baumann Auto Group got its start when Buck’s father, Al Baumann, purchased his first dealership in Fremont in 1956. Today, the company owns dealerships in Fremont, Port Clinton, Genoa, Tiffin and Oregon. Under Buck’s leadership, the Baumann Auto Group continues a legacy of generosity and community support. To celebrate the company’s 65th anniversary in 2021, Buck donated $200,000 to local charities in addition to the charity raffle.
“Buck does a lot of things behind the scenes, the Big Charity Raffle is the only thing he gets buzz from,” More said.
More said 23,000 tickets were printed for the Big Charity Raffle.
“It’s exciting. We raised $55,000 last year. This year’s goal is $70,000,” More said.
More information on Baumann Auto Group can be found at baumannautogroup.com.
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Bauman Auto Group kicks off annual Big Charity Raffle
